By Regaina Thompson
Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. (Psalm 17:1-3)
In vs. 3, David said that he "purposed that his mouth would not transgress". He made a commitment to do what is right. He kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (I Jn.1:8-10)
However, does that give us the right to go on sinning or to walk as close to the line as possible?
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (I Jn. 2:4)
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (I Jn. 2:6)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (I Jn. 2:15)
John tells us that if we are truly of God, we will stop sinning . (I Jn. 3:4-10)
Yes, we are human and we all make mistakes, but we must purpose in our hearts, as David did, to do right. WE should not make excuses when we know something is wrong. With God's help, we can change anything.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
We must not walk closely with the world. We absolutely cannot keep a foot on both sides.
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt. 6:24)
Let us all purpose in our hearts to do good and to truly commit to the Lord.
"Cease to do evil, learn to do good." (Is.1:16c-17a)
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